Student Spotlight – Jakk Devlin
IT and Cyber Security student nominated for Victorian Training Award.
From small-town beginnings to the cutting edge of cyber defence, GOTAFE graduate Jakk Devlin’s journey is one of curiosity, resilience, and real-world impact.
Having spoken at several events, including GOTAFE’s graduation ceremonies, he has now been recognised with a nomination for Vocational Student of the Year in this years’ Victorian Training Awards.
After completing a Certificate III in Information Technology (ICT30120), he pursued a Certificate IV in Cyber Security (22603VIC) at GOTAFE, driven by a fascination with how technology works and how it can be protected.
“I wanted to learn about and better understand how cyber-attacks could happen to massive organisations, and if there was something they could do to be more vigilant in preventing them,” he said.
Despite facing some early setbacks and a two-hour daily commute, he committed fully to his studies, building a home lab, catching up on missed coursework, and excelling in hands-on practical assessments.
“My time studying with GOTAFE gave me a lot of opportunities and experience that has helped me to where I am today,” he said.
“It was also during my time studying that I really found my passion for learning.
“I thoroughly enjoyed learning new tools and techniques that I could use and would often continue my research and practice with these new tools and techniques when I got home which furthered my performance in class.”
His initiative paid off, and since completing his studies he has secured a technician role at Teknik Consulting.
This sees him working with schools across Victoria to improve IT systems and cyber resilience.
From upgrading student laptops, mapping entire network infrastructures, or leading documentation projects, he has been able to turn learning into action.
Recognised for his achievements, he became a student ambassador at GOTAFE, spoke at major cybersecurity events, and placed among the top competitors nationally in the WorldSkills Cyber Security competition.
He is also heading to the WorldSkills National competition in Brisbane in June.
As a role model and rising star in IT, his journey shows how determination, opportunity, and education can redefine what’s possible.
